Hatchet attack leads to attempted murder arrest

A Fort Bragg woman has been arrested for attempted murder following a fight that turned into a big scene at the C.V. Starr Center witnessed by dozens of people.

Maricruz Alvarez-Carillo, 21, was arrested while driving in Fort Bragg after a police investigation concluded that she had attacked Alissa Colberg with a hatchet.

Details of the incident were vague at first, since several of the involved parties refused to cooperate with police. Police have pieced together details of incidents but are continuing to investigate.

"On Jan. 28, at approximately 4:19 p.m, Fort Bragg police officers were dispatched to the area of Maple and South Harold Streets for a report of a physical fight in progress," a police department release stated. "Officers were advised that a hatchet was observed being used as a weapon. Upon arrival to the area, officers observed several subjects running in different directions." The caller reported that the juveniles were dressed in red and blue.

One running group led officers into the C.V. Starr Center where they detained several subjects in plain view of patrons. Kids and adults peered through the aquatic center's tinted windows as officers led juveniles out of the building in handcuffs.

One female, Alissa Colberg, 19, sustained cuts to her chest and face, believed to have been inflicted by a hatchet. She was taken by ambulance to Mendocino Coast District Hospital for treatment and was released later.

"Due to lack of cooperation of all parties involved, and the inability to locate the suspected weapon involved, officers were unable to initially identify who [had] assaulted Colberg," said police reports. "All detained parties were released pending further investigation." Altogether, police estimate that eight to 10 juveniles and a few adults may have been involved in the incident.

The weapon, described as a camping-style hatchet, was later found in the C.V Starr parking lot under a vehicle. Police Sgt. Brandon Lee said one juvenile told investigators that he had disarmed Alvarez of the hatchet before "ditching it" in the parking lot.

Sgt. Lee said that, based on later statements from witnesses, the conflict was initially between Alvarez-Carillo and Colberg's juvenile boyfriend. Colberg told investigators that when she attempted to intervene, Alvarez-Carillo turned on her with the hatchet.

"Her injuries could have been life-threatening," said Lee, noting that Colberg was allegedly only armed with a dog leash or chain.

Later that evening, at about 9:12 p.m., officers responded to a report that a fight was in progress in the area of Chestnut Street and Minnesota Avenue. The caller told dispatch the parties were armed, possibly with a hatchet and a baseball bat.

According to Lee, several of the same individuals, including Colberg and her boyfriend, were found to be involved. Since there was no evidence of weapons or a fight, no arrests were made.

"It's been brewing for a while," he said, noting that Alvarez-Carillo told police she thought Colberg's boyfriend had broken windows on her car. Lee said it has not been confirmed if the statement is correct.

Alvarez-Carillo's vehicle was towed and impounded upon her arrest, her two-month-old child was turned over to Child Protective Services.

Police say they have dealt with Colberg and Alvarez in the past. Colberg told investigators that she was once stabbed at a local carnival by Alvarez, but did not report it to police at the time, said Lee.

As for the gang connection, Lee said several of the juveniles identify themselves with Norteno and Sureno gangs, and were dressed in red and blue.

Following an arraignment Feb. 7, Alvarez-Carillo's, represented by court-appointed attorney Patrick Pekin, is scheduled to enter a plea in Ten Mile Court on Feb. 28, to the charges of attempted murder and assault to cause great bodily injury. Public defense attorneys Thomas Croak and Bart Kronfeld claimed a conflict of interest and declined the case.